Blueberry plant named &#39;VENTURA&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ventura’ is provided. ‘Ventura’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh market. The variety is very vigorous, ripens early and produces a medium to large berry with excellent flavor. ‘Ventura’ has an estimated chilling requirement of approximately 300 to 500 hours.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

LATIN NAME OF THE FAMILY, GENUS, AND SPECIES

Family—Ericaceae.

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—corymbosum hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Ventura’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinctcultivar of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. hybrid)plant, referred to as ‘Ventura,’ as herein described and illustrated.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ventura’ was selected in Lowell, Oreg.in 2006. ‘Ventura’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvestfresh market. The variety is very vigorous, ripens early and produces amedium to large berry with excellent flavor. ‘Ventura’ has an estimatedchilling requirement of approximately 300 to 500 hours.

Pedigree and History: The new blueberry plant originated from a crossmade in 2000 of ‘FL96-24’ (pollen parent, unpatented) by ‘FL00-60’(female parent, unpatented). The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ventura’has been planted in replicated trials since 2007.

When compared to commercial variety ‘Springhigh’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.16,404), the new variety ‘Ventura’ ripens slightly sooner, is higheryielding, and has firmer fruit with lighter color.

When compared to commercial variety ‘Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675),new variety ‘Ventura’ ripens approximately two weeks earlier, has higheryields, and lighter fruit color.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ventura’ has maintained itsdistinguishing characteristics throughout successive asexualpropagations. The variety has been repeatedly asexually reproducedthrough softwood cuttings in Lowell, Oreg., and the clones arephenotypically identical to the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ventura’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhatwith variations in environment and cultural practices such astemperature and light intensity without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in Lowell, Oreg. andare determined to be the unique characteristics of the new blueberryplant variety ‘Ventura’:

1. Vigorous Plant.

2. Excellent Flavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ventura.’ Thecolors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ventura,’ highlighting theplant's vigorous nature.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ventura,’

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘Ventura.’

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Ventura.’ The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately three years of age, andthe descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Lowell, Oreg.Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown inDelano, Calif. Color designations are from “The Pantone Book of Color”(by Leatrice Eiseman and Lawrence Herbery, Harry N. Abrams, Inc.,Publishers, New York 1990). Where the Pantone color designations differfrom the colors in the photographs, the Pantone colors are accurate.

-   Classification: a. Family — Ericaceae. b. Genus — Vaccinium. c.    Species — corymbosum hybrid d. Common Name — Southern Highbush    Blueberry.-   Parentage: Female Parent — FL00-60 (Unpatented). Male Parent —    FL96-24 (Unpatented).-   Market class: ‘Ventura’ is a commercial blueberry variety intended    for the hand harvest fresh market.-   Plant:    -   -   Plant size.—a. Height of Plant: Average of 40″ in Oregon (4            year old plants). b. Canopy Diameter: Average 30″ in Oregon            (4 year old plants).        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Plant vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Twigginess.—Low.        -   Suckering.—Low.        -   Evergreenness.—Evergreen in Oregon.        -   Chilling requirement.—Approximately 300-500 hours at            temperatures at or below 45° F. (about 7° C.).        -   Cold hardiness.—USDA Hardiness zones 7-9.        -   Productivity.—In Delano, Calif. on 3 year old plants, 13.78            lbs per plant harvested.        -   Propagation.—Easy to propagate from softwood cuttings.        -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—a. Phytophthora: Does not            appear to be overly susceptible. b. Stem Blight:            Undetermined. c. Cane Canker: Undetermined. d. Leaf Spot:            Does not appear to be overly susceptible. e. Bud Mites:            Undetermined. f. Survival: Good.-   Trunk and branches:    -   -   Texture.—a. Surface Texture New Wood: Smooth. b. Surface            Texture 1 year Wood: Smooth. c. Surface Texture 3 years and            Older Wood: Rough.        -   Color.—a. Color New Wood: Pantone Oasis 16-0540. b. Color            Rough Bark at 1 year: Pantone Moss 16-0532 and Redwood            18-1443. c. Color Rough Bark at 3 years and Older: Pantone            Brush 16-1317, Smoke Gray 14-1209, and Acorn 18-1314.-   Foliage:    -   -   Internode length.—Average of 13.58 mm.        -   Leaf dimensions.—a. Leaf Length: Average of 71.81 mm. b.            Leaf Width: Average of 37.86 mm.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptical with acute apex and base.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf color upper leaf surface.—a. Mature leaves: Pantone            Artichoke green 18-0125. b. New leaves: Pantone Herbal green            15-0336, and Tabasco 18-1536.        -   Leaf color lower leaf surface.—Pantone Grasshopper 18-0332.        -   Pubescence.—a. Pubescence Upper Leaf Surface: Absent. b.            Pubescence Lower Leaf Surface: Absent. c. Pubescence Leaf            Margins: Absent.        -   Precocity.—New vegetative growth before flowering in Lowell,            Oreg.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower arrangement.—Compound raceme. Clusters arranged            alternately along branches.        -   Flower shape.—Cylindrical to slightly urceolate.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet, faint.        -   Flower bud density.—Medium.        -   Flower length.—Average of 13.14 mm.        -   Immature flower color.—Pantone Holly Berry 17-1633 and            Pastel Parchment 11-0603.        -   Flowering period.—February through May in Lowell, Oreg.        -   Flowering cluster.—Loose.        -   Number flowers.—Average of 3-5 flowers per cluster in            Lowell, Oreg.        -   Stigma location.—Average of 0.5 mm below the lip of the            corolla.        -   Corolla.—a. Corolla Length: Large flowers, Average of            10.22 mm. b. Corolla Diameter: Average of 10.698 mm. c.            Corolla Color: Pantone Snow White 11-0602. d. Corolla            Texture: Smooth. e. Corolla Aperture: Average of 5.29 mm.        -   Flower peduncle.—a. Peduncle Length Flower: Variable, with            an average of 9.87 mm. b. Peduncle Color: Pantone Green            Oasis 15-0538.        -   Flower pedicel.—a. Pedicel Length Flower: Average of            14.7 mm. b. Pedicel Color: Pantone Green Oasis 15-0538.        -   Flower petiole.—a. Petiole Length: Average of 2.66 mm. b.            Petiole Surface Texture: Smooth. c. Petiole Color: Pantone            Lettuce Green 13-0324.        -   Calyx.—a. Calyx Diameter: Average of 5.42 mm. b. Calyx            Surface: Smooth. c. Calyx Color: Pantone Green Oasis 5-0538            and Peridot 19-0336.        -   Style length.—Average of 8.58 mm.        -   Pistil color.—Pantone Green Olive 17-0535.        -   Anther.—a. Anther Length: Average of 4.36 mm. b. Anther            Color: Pantone Leather Brown 18-1142.        -   Pollen.—a. Pollen Staining: 95% fertile, staining with 2%            acetocarmine stain. b. Pollen Abundance: Medium. c. Pollen            Color: Pantone Corn Silk 13-0932.        -   Self compatibility.—Good, 73% of self pollinated flowers            reaching maturity.-   Fruit:    -   -   Mean harvest date first pick.—May 3 in Delano, Calif.        -   Mean date last pick.—May 31 in Delano, Calif.        -   Calyx.—a. Calyx Aperture: Average of 5.47 mm. b. Calyx            Lobes: Five lobes on larger berries, which are not well            defined. The smaller berries are more rounded. c. Calyx            Depth: Average of 2.63 mm.        -   Berry cluster.—Loose.        -   Berry pedicel.—a. Length: Average of 9.68 mm. b. Surface            Texture: Smooth.        -   Berry peduncle.—a. Length: Variable, average of 11.4 mm. b.            Surface Texture: Smooth.        -   Berries per cluster.—3 to 4.        -   Berry detachment.—Moderately easy.        -   Berry weight.—Average of 2 g.        -   Berry height.—Average of 12.5 mm.        -   Berry width.—Average of 16.22 mm.        -   Berry shape.—Round to slightly teardrop shaped (rhomboid),            with a rounded shoulder.        -   Berry color.—a. Immature Berry Color: Pantone Mellow Green            12-0426 and Holly Berry 17-1633 b. Berry Skin Color on            Plant: Pantone Dapple Grey 16-3907. c. Berry Skin Color            after Harvest: Pantone Dapple Grey 16-3907 and Patriot Blue            19-3925. d. Berry Skin Color after Polishing: Pantone Dark            Navy 19-4013.        -   Berry wax.—Persistent wax, moderate amount.        -   Berry flesh color.—Pantone Pastel Yellow 11-0616.        -   Pedicel scar.—Average of 2.22 mm.        -   Berry firmness.—Firm.        -   Berry flavor.—Sweet and fruity.        -   Berry texture.—Moderately firm.-   Seed:    -   -   Seed color.—Pantone Madder Brown 19-1331.        -   Seed length.—Average of 1.81 mm.        -   Seed width.—Average of 1.14 mm.        -   Seed weight.—Average of 0.4 mg.        -   Seeds per berry.—Average of 14 Seeds per Berry.

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ventura,’substantially as illustrated and described herein.